In agricultural practice, the terms “pesticide” and “plant protection product” are often used interchangeably. However, not every pesticide is a plant protection product. It’s similar to the relationship between squares and rectangles – not every rectangle is a square, but every square is a rectangle. In our case, we can say that every plant protection product is a pesticide, but not every pesticide is a plant protection product. The term “pesticide” is broader and includes other categories of products beyond plant protection.
What is a pesticide and what does it include?
A pesticide (from Latin ‘pestis’ = plague; ‘caedo’ = to kill) is something that prevents, destroys or controls a harmful organism or disease, or protects plants or plant products during production, storage or transport.
This term includes:
– herbicides
– insecticides
– fungicides
– others (acaricides, nematicides, molluscicides, rodenticides, growth regulators, repellents, storage agents and biocides)
Plant protection products and their use
Plant protection products are pesticides that protect crops or desirable and useful plants.
They are mainly used in agriculture, but also in forestry, horticulture, recreational areas, and home gardens.
They are characterized by containing at least one active substance and performing at least one of the following functions:
– protect plants or plant products from pests/diseases before or after harvest
– influence plant life processes (e.g. growth regulators, excluding nutrients)
– preserve plant products
– destroy or prevent the growth of unwanted plants or plant parts
In addition to the active substance, they also contain other ingredients appropriate for the formulation type, such as solvents, emulsifiers, dispersants, adjuvants, antifoaming agents, safeners or synergists.
Each EU member state approves plant protection products for use within its territory and ensures compliance with EU regulations.
Active substance – what is it and who approves its use
An active substance (A.I. – active ingredient) is the most important component of any plant protection product. It can be a chemical substance, plant extract, pheromone or microorganism (including viruses) that acts against pests or affects plants, plant parts or plant products.
Before an active substance can be used in plant protection products in the European Union, it must be approved by the European Commission (EC).
Active substances undergo continuous and intensive evaluation and peer review by EU member states and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before a decision on their use in plant protection products can be approved. As a result of this evaluation process, some active substances are withdrawn from use if they pose too great a risk to human health and life or have a significantly negative impact on the environment.
Author: Piotr Paleń – R&D Director
